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Business English Training | Talking about the economy 3
Choose the correct response to complete each of the following sentences:
1. To cut down on spending = To __________________________ spending
a) trip b) trim c) train
2. FedEx cut its earnings __________________________ for the first quarter of 2009. = FedEx plans
to make less than expected in the first quarter of 2009.
a) plan b) transfer c) forecast
3. Leading economic indicators show that the global recession might be
__________________________. ( = getting worse)
a) lowering b) deepening c) evening out
4. __________________________ measures = Measures to boost the economy
a) Stimulus b) Simultaneous c) Serious
5. Many people blame the United States for keeping interest rates at an
___________________________ ( = unnaturally) low rate.
a) artificially b) articulately c) auspiciously
6. Low interest rates were one of the ___________________________ factors of the current financial
crisis. = Low interest rates were one of the causes of the current financial crisis.
a) promising b) presupposed c) precipitating
7. A steep decline = A ____________________ fall
a) dramatic b) dreary c) drab
8. A "housing __________________" refers to a rapid increase in real estate prices, followed by a
sharp decline (due to people not being able to pay such high prices).
a) bubble b) bobble c) babble
9. In the United States, the push to increase the availability of home loans for the economically
disadvantaged was a noble cause with unintended negative ___________________________. ( =
results)
a) compromises b) consequences c) comforts
10. To go ___________________________ = To go bankrupt
a) busted b) banked up c) bust
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Business English Training | Talking about the economy 3
ANSWERS:
1) b 2) c 3) b 4) a 5) a 6) c 7) a 8) a 9) b 10) c